by Tom O'Hare | Mar 15, 2025 | Before, College Admissions, College Planning, College Readiness
Occasionally, we all need an advisor or coach to help us navigate the unknown. For parents of high school students, deciding what to do after high school can be daunting. That is where a college counselor can help. A good counselor is unbiased and nonjudgmental and is working for the sole purpose of helping a student succeed. A counselor (advisor) should be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of planning and funding college and keen to be able to help students and families find the four rights to life after high school: the right education pathway, for the right reason, and at the right school for an affordable investment. (The four rights i follow in my private practice)
Parents and students should begin working with a counselor around October of the junior year, when their student takes the PSATs, earlier if possible. A counselor should provide insights and direction on how to pay for college, where to consider going, and how to apply. They’re there to answer questions, share insights, identify deadlines, and help manage connecting the dots between admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and student recruitment.
As my youngest son reminds me, hundreds of students and families navigate the process and successfully enroll in college every year. Yes, that is true, but for the select few who find themselves overwhelmed, paralyzed, and fearful of failing, a college counselor (advisor) can be the key to their sanity and students’ success.
Finding the right fit is based on working with a student and their family to align them with colleges and universities where they can continue to grow academically, feel personally safe, have a chance to have a strong, supportive social network, and where the cost of enrolling is affordable. Finding the right fit is a personal, individual process that takes time and discovery and can benefit from having a college counselor or an advisor helping to guide the way.
Here are a few other reasons:
- Personalized Guidance
- Through regular meetings, we help students identify schools that are the best fit academically, socially, and financially.
- We provide insights on raising the bar to show interest through email campaigns, 1-1 meetings, and keeping the school aware of a student’s strengths, interests, and goals.
- Help to identify different paths after high school and navigate the conversation at home.
- Application Strategy & Organization
- Advisors help manage deadlines, essays, recommendation letters, and standardized testing schedules.
- They create a structured timeline to reduce stress and last-minute scrambling.
- Essay Coaching & Editing
- Many advisors assist students in crafting compelling college essays that stand out.
- They provide feedback to ensure authenticity while meeting the expectations of admissions officers.
- Financial Aid & Scholarships
- A good advisor helps families navigate financial aid forms like the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
- We provide endless training on how to hunt for scholarships, including starting early and never stopping.
- Reducing Stress & Family Conflicts
- Involving a third party can ease tensions between parents and students and ensure open communication and shared goals.
- Were neutral, unbiased, and nonjudgmental with the student and their family’s objective always in mind.
- We Focus on the Probability of Acceptance
- At the right college that falls under three categories, unlikely >30%, but let’s apply; targeted <50% and Likely >75%.
- Advisors provide insights into what colleges are looking for in prospective students.
- We assist with interview preparation, extracurricular planning, and strong application positioning.
- Knowledge of Changing Admissions Trends
- The college admissions landscape changes frequently (test-optional policies, holistic admissions, financial aid, government intervention, college and university business decisions), etc.
- As an advisor, I stay current on these trends and help families adjust their strategies accordingly.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, paralyzed, and fearful of failing your student, give a call or text – 617-240-7350, Every good ending starts with a good conversation!!
by Tom O'Hare | Mar 8, 2025 | Before, College Admissions, College Planning, College Readiness
2025 SPRING COLLEGE FAIRS & EVENTS
They want to meet you. Who? College, university, and trade school Admission Representatives. They will be at your high school and regional and national college fairs. They want to meet you to discuss their academic programs, campus life, clubs, and extracurricular programs. They are coming to pique your curiosity as a prospective student.
This is your chance to connect with colleges, universities, trade schools, and members of the Armed Services recruiting students. An opportunity for you to meet with Representatives on your list or learn about ones to add. Time to explore, ask questions, shake hands, and sign up to receive information. PLUS, share your high school resume!!
If you cannot attend one of these events, don’t worry; in the future, you will be able to participate in a virtual meeting sponsored by the individual colleges, NEACAC (New England Association of College Admission Counselors) and NACAC.(National Association of College Admission Counselors).
Check with your Guidance Department to learn about colleges and universities attending!!. College Fair Checklist
Here are events happening in the evenings, weekends, and special events in Massachusetts this spring
High School Visits and Collee Fairs
- Lowell Catholic College Fair
Wednesday, March 5 at 6:00 PM
Lowell, MA
- Brookline High School College Fair
Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 PM
Brookline, MA
- Reading Memorial High School College Fair
Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 PM
Reading, MA
- Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School College Fair
Thursday, March 13 at 8:30 AM
Upton, MA
- Billerica Memorial High School College Fair
Thursday, March 13 at 6:00 PM
Billerica, MA
- Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School College Fair
Thursday, March 13 at 6:00 PM
- NACAC Springfield
Tuesday, March 18 at 9:00 AM
West Springfield, MA
- Littleton High School College Fair
Tuesday, March 18 at 6:00 PM
Littleton, MA
- Great Northeast Career & College Fair
Wednesday, March 19 at 5:30 PM
Middleboro, MA
- Catholic Memorial High School Mini College Fair
Wednesday, March 26 at 8:30 AM
West Roxbury, MA
- Boston College High School College Fair
Wednesday, March 26 at 6:30 PM
Boston, MA
- NACAC Boston – Morning Session
Thursday, March 27 at 9:00 AM
Boston, MA
- NACAC Boston – Evening Session
Thursday, March 27 at 6:00 PM
Boston, MA
- NACAC Boston – Morning Only
Friday, March 28 at 9:00 AM
Boston, MA
- Greater Essex County College and Career Fair
Thursday, April 3 at 6:00 PM
Newburyport, MA
- Malden Catholic High School College Fair
Thursday, April 3 at 6:00 PM
Malden, MA
- Bishop Stang High School College Fair
Tuesday, April 8 at 5:30 PM
N Dartmouth, MA
- Phillips Academy-Andover College Fair
Monday, April 28 at 5:00 PM
Andover, MA
- NEACAC Merrimack College Fair
Sunday, May 4 at 6:00 PM
North Andover, MA
- Bishop Feehan High School College Fair
Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00 PM
Attleboro, MA
- NEACAC Assumption College
Wednesday, May 14, 5:30 PM
Worcester, MA
- Woburn High School Junior College Fair
Thursday, May 22 at 8:00 AM
Woburn, MA
NEACAC Bridgewater State University
Thursday, May 29 at 9:00 AM
Bridgewater, MA
by Tom O'Hare | Aug 30, 2024 | College Admissions, College Readiness
Students are heading off to college. Dorms are filling up, and new classmates are showing up in the hallways as the experience becomes real.
This summer I spoke with five students who had just completed their first year of college. We discussed their experiences, challenges, and the advice they would give to their past selves. Their stories were filled with lessons learned. Here are their top eight. I am so proud of the group!!
Who are they, you ask? My cohort of students is a diverse group. Their schools are close to home, two hours away, and one arrived by plane. They enrolled in schools with 20K and 5K students. They have different academic interests; some play DIII and club sports. Their diversity reflects the varied experiences you can expect in college.
What did they share?
#1 Comment—Get out of your DORM. A dorm room is for sleeping, unwinding, and relaxing with friends and roommates. Get out of your dorm. Find a quiet place to study away from the dorm. Find a calm place: library, tech center, or academic center.
#2 New friends are not all in the dorm. Outside of roommates (one was a horror show) and neighbors, all agreed they met more friends outside of the residence hall. Join a club or two, get involved with intramurals, eat in the dining hall, and attend events.
#3 College academics are more challenging than anticipated. Whether high school was a breeze or one spent long hours studying, the first semester was rough. There was a lot of reading and taking notes and a huge expectation from the faculty that you would do the work. Create some good study habits and stay on top of work. There was no handholding.
#4 Get to the Academic Center EARLY. Two of the rising Sophomores waited until the end of the semester to see out help—not their best move. Collectively, they all mentioned that their expectation of getting A’s, like in high school, became the reality of B’s and C’s. No one will be asking if you need help. Do not procrastinate.
#5 The 1st week or so was tough – One was alone more than she thought, everyone got homesick a bit, and all acknowledged they learned their ability to be independent
#6 Read your emails – Events, messages from faculty, assignments, deadlines, and more are all communicated through emails and the student portal. Stay on top of things to avoid getting behind.
#7 Less is More – Everyone agreed; they took too much stuff to campus and sent most of it home.
#8 Be healthy – exercise, eat right, hydrate, get enough sleep, and watch out for free time. Check-in at home periodically; they want to know how you are doing.
Keep an eye on your college students. It’s a new experience and they will need you help. The key to one’s first year in college, 4YR, 2YR, Community College is making the transition to the world of higher education. A very different experience.
Like what you read, share my website and blog with your friends, colleagues and fellow parents.
by Tom O'Hare | Mar 3, 2024 | College Admissions, College Planning, College Readiness
The college admission process is stressful enough … add this year’s financial aid debacle, and you have sources of students and families on edge. But, no, let’s make matters worse.
If it isn’t hard enough for families to navigate the college planning, finding, applying, and funding process, colleges and universities are exerting more pressure on anxious students. It comes from all places: housing and resident life.
As an education advisor already trying to stem the stress and strain of the admission decision-making process and uncertainty on how to pay, I now hear from students and parents that emails are arriving with a message: no housing deposit, no room.
Growing up in the industry, the process, procedure, and protocol that college-bound students and families follow have been to find a school, apply, get accepted, learn about financial aid (or lack thereof), and then, after evaluating your options, say yes, here is my May 1 deposit. Add me to the list of incoming first-year students. Only then was the next step to send a housing deposit to secure a dorm room.
Did I miss a significant shift in the process? A new business decision on campus. If not, Presidents, Deans, VPs, Directors, and Managers on campus, why are you putting the cart before the horse? Why are you adding to the already emotional, stressful period in the lives of many highly vulnerable young teens?
On behalf of my students and families, please share the why?
Posted on Linkedin and FB – 3/3/2024 – no campus comments yet.
by Tom O'Hare | Feb 3, 2024 | College Planning, College Readiness, Uncategorized
Many families are well into their college planning by now. Are you?
With over 150 different activities, tasks, and deadlines to manage, you still need to start now, if you don’t mind.
Break the 11th-grade to 12th-grade journey into segments based on the time, tasks, and schedules.
Here are seven + one crucial things every parent should do with their student between now and summer break.
Register to Take the SAT | ACT
- PSAT was in Oct – Time to learn the real baseline
- Register for a Nation Test – SAT (3/9 or 5/4) – ACT (4/13 or 6/8)
- We use them to support a student – not hinder
- Take them once and see
Build a List of College Options
- Student and family college expectations and preferences
- Realistic, authentic to one’s ability and talent
- GPA with 2 ticks up and 2 ticks down
Schedule a Campus Visit
- Hands on – feet on the campus is the best to learn about a college, university or accredited trade and professional school..
- Learn about academics, campus life, clubs, sports and check the schools vibe
- Speak to faculty, coaches and advisors
- Use vacation time (February and April), Professional Days, and Saturdays
- Register to attend and say hello to your College Admission Counselor
- Get their before May; Bring the families are welcome
- Five Ways to Make a Campus Visit Valuable – Checklist
Create an HS Resume
- Activities and accomplishment, academic and personal; talent; leadership’ volunteer and work
- 9th grade to now; in and out of school
- Valuable when meeting college representatives, and interviewing
Assess the Family’s Capability to Pay
- Education after high school is expensive; need to know your buying power
- Saving, investment, disposable income?
- What is you had to pay today? What’s your contribution now
- Time to learn about tuition assistance programs; sooner than later
- What’s the impact on college options?
Evaluate Credit Standing
- If you need to borrow after financial aid; you’ll need good credit
- What is your now?
Draw Up a Plan – Rally Your Resources
+ Get Organization
- Add a student-college planning email address to the mix – Gmail | Yahoo | Hotmail
- Correspondence and information
- College planning e-folder
- Documents, PDF’s, drafts, documents
- Everything easily stored, sorted and retrievable
To learn more about who we are, our services, and our approach to planning and funding your student’s educational pathways after high school, visit www.getcollegegoing.com.Start a Conversation – Office is always open
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Updated 3/2024
by Tom O'Hare | Jan 24, 2024 | College Planning, College Readiness, Financial Aid, Uncategorized
As soon as the ball dropped and we entered 2024, the wheels of motion went into action to begin the annual performance review process. Human Resource Departments working with Department Heads, Managers, and employees across organizations hailed the end of another year with an eye on the new—a time to assess the successes and shortcomings at multiple levels: organization, department, and workforce.
A good review process can be a very effective exercise for all involved. It helps identify an employee’s strengths and weaknesses during the year and map out key performance indicators for the new year. Employees use the time to run their “how am I doing” checklist with an eye on a possible promotion, salary increase, and incentives to retain valuable talent.
What if there is nothing to offer? How will an organization retain its key performing employees? What happens when health, dental, 401 matching, free coffee, gym, and parking incentives don’t work? The fear of losing employees, not to mention struggling to recruit, becomes very real.
What to do?
The SECURE 2.0 ACT has created a new opportunity for employers to meet the emotional and financial need-pain point of each employee facing the economic challenges of the rising cost of college and education debt. Young recent graduates, parents of high school and college-age students, and those who pursue life-long learning all experience stress and worry about managing their financial well-being. Saving, planning, funding college, upskilling, managing educational debt, and budgeting for life’s needs create stress and anxiety, often resulting in questionable financial decisions.
Employer programs offering education enrichment, guidance, and financial support can cure many employee pains. Here are four benefit programs every employer and member-driven organization should consider offering.
- Allocate education assistance benefits to tuition reimbursement or pay down education debt.
- Shift the employer matching contribution of a 401(k) and 403(b) to a pay-down payment.
- College planning assistance through dedicated 1-1 advising and counseling programs or subscription-based e-learning portals.
- Access to education debt advisors to assist with program clarity, mediation, and guidance.
Offering programs through an organization’s EAP Program, managed by Human Resources and delivered by industry experts, sends a message of commitment to a workforce and, in return, is rewarded by a motivated and loyal workforce.
Consider adding a college planning resources to your EAP. Pivotal College Years is an online college planning portal for students, parents, and recent graduates. The portal is a single source of information before, during, and after college. Valuable resources are available through the online College Planning Portal, Workable College Planning Workbook, and our YouTube Channel, all of which provide support and guidance throughout a family’s college planning journey. Learn how you can bring this valuable resource to your organization.
